alf week, with every comfort and luxury which money and
invention can provide. There is probably nothing that marks the progress
of civilization more distinctly than do the perfected modes and
conveniences of travel. It is strange, but true, however, that so long
as our prairies shall stretch themselves from river to ocean the imprint
of the overland trail can never be obliterated. Today, after a lapse of
over fifty years, whoever passes within seeing distance of the old trail
can, upon the crest of grain and grass, note its serpentine windings, as
marked by a light and sickly color of green. I myself have followed it
from a car-window as traced in yellow green upon an immense field of
growing corn. No amount of cultivation can ever restore to that
long-trodden path its pristine vigor and productiveness.

Our prairies are a book,
Whose pages hold many stories
Writ by many people.
Tragedy, comedy, pathos,
Love and valor, duly
Punctuated by life's
Rests and stops,
Whose interest shall appeal
To human hearts as long as
Their green cover enfolds them.

CHAPTER V.

A WORTHY OBJECT REACHED FOR AND MISSED IS A FIRST STEP TOWARD SUCCESS.

Who, among the many persons contributing for a wage, to the convenience
of everyday life in these latter times, is more waited and watched for,
and brings more of joy, and more of sorrow when he comes, than the
postman.

In the days of trailing, our post accommodations were extremely few and
very far between. There were no mailing points, except at the government
forts, Fort Kearney and Laramie being the only two on the entire trip,
soldiers carrying the mail to and from the forts either way. After
leaving Fort Kearney, the next mailing point east, was Fort Laramie.

Before leaving home, I had been entrusted with a package of letters by
Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy, from his wife, to her brother, James
McClosky, who had been on the plains some fourteen years, and who was
supposed to be living near Fort Laramie. When within a couple of days'
drive of the fort we came to a building which proved to be a store, and
which was surrounded by several wigwams. Upon halting and going into the
store, we found ourselves face to face with the man we were wanting to
meet, Mr. McClosky. He was glad to see us, and overjoyed to receive the
package of letters. He stepped out of doors and gave a whoop or two, and
immediately Indians began to com